On the evening of August 27-28, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible throughout the country. This eclipse follows closely after the recent total solar eclipse witnessed in Iceland, Spain, and a part of Portugal. The upcoming lunar eclipse will be a deep partial one, with a peak coverage of 93 percent.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra, after traversing the outer, fainter shadow called the penumbra. The lunar eclipse will be observable across most of Canada, with Western Canada catching a glimpse of the partial eclipse as the moon ascends.
Unlike solar eclipses, there is no need for protective eyewear to view a lunar eclipse. Additionally, the lunar eclipse unfolds over hours, not minutes, offering ample time for observation. The lunar eclipse on August 27-28 will be visible across North and South America.
The eclipse is set to commence as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, with the visible phase starting at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27 and concluding at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The deepest eclipse point is anticipated at 12:13 a.m., with most of the moon darkened.
This celestial event is part of a series of astronomical occurrences this month. Elaina Hyde, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University, expressed excitement about the array of astronomical events in August, including the recent partial solar eclipse and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction.
Regarding the lunar eclipse, Hyde noted that while it will be a partial eclipse and may not turn entirely red, certain regions in Canada may witness a reddish hue. Lunar eclipses are easily observable with the naked eye, although binoculars, a small telescope, or a smartphone with a good night mode can enhance the viewing experience and enable capturing quality images.